Teens and Unschooling

This isn't an exhaustive FAQ, it's a collection of bits and links
to help parents of unschooled teens feel confident and calm
about how kids interact with the world inside and outside their families.

NEW LINK: Autodidact+Piano, on unschooled teens in general, and then Abbi Traaseth (with video)

"When I was ten, my mother told me that she was going to take me out of school. At the time, I was apalled. Now, I credit that moment as the biggest turning point of my life. Not because of what we did instead of going to school, but because of the power my mother gave to me when she showed me that she did not have to abide by anyone's standards - not when she knew she could do better. She gave me to myself, for ever."—Roya Sorooshian

Roya is one of those quoted in an April 2006 article here.The quote above is lifted from something she posted on MySpace.

November 2005:

Just to let you all know there is an Ensign (junior officer for
those who aren't familiar the terminology) on my husband's ship who
was totally unschooled until she set the goal of becoming a naval
officer. Even then when she chose to go to highschool for one year
and on to college and naval academy it was still her choice to
follow her dream and her parents just helped her to support her
along the way.

She is an intelligent and sweet girl who has a whole amazing career
in front of her because her parents supported who she wanted to be
and stepped out of the way and let her go for it. So I do know
of "one" person, and I am very encouraged by her success and hope
that my children will feel free like she did to follow their dreams
regardless of what those dreams may be. Success to me is measured
by my happiness and satisfaction with my life and the relationships
within it as well. I hope my children will feel the same.

Geri took this photo. It's one of Holly's favorites. Holly notes that for a photo with that many people in it, it's remarkable that no one is looking at the camera.

Below is a 2006 photo by Gail Higgins, of kids at the dance at the Live and Learn Unschooling Conference

YOUNG ADULTS/LATE TEENS

RESPONSES TO CONCERNS POSTED BY NERVOUS PARENTS:

Not having a high school diploma didn't keep my always unschooled daughter
out of college, AND she got her first paid job BECAUSE she was unschooled - her
dance studio needed someone to cover the afternoon classes of a teacher going
on maternity leave, none of the regular teachers were available for that time
and the older assistants were in school. She's been employed by them ever
since.

It's an interesting twist. :)

Deborah in IL

Marty has worked "during school hours" since he turned fifteen, and was offered a fulltime job just before turning 17. None of this keeps him from learning, from doing lots of things with other people, nor will it keep him from the option of college. He's working 6:30 to 3:00 M-F. Kinda like school hours, for the first time in his life.

HOMESCHOOLER'S WEBPAGES

Here are some sites by homeschoolers, on projects, arts, writing, and sometimes just their lives. If you have sites to add, e-mail Sandra@SandraDodd.com Note that they can make much nicer webpages than I can, so click and see some GREAT pages by teens:

Beach High School, "Freedom for self-direction"
Wes Beach runs a distance (or in person) program for teens who want help with a resume or a high school diploma or academic advisement and ideas. Here's a link to stories about some of his students.
contributions and suggestions are welcome!